4 Traffic Deaths, 360 Cited For DWI Over Memorial Day Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It was a deadly Memorial Day weekend with plenty of impaired driving on the state’s roads, according to a report released Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Authorities said at least four people were killed in crashes over the three-day weekend and officers made a total of 360 arrests for DWI. Officials with the Department of Public Safety said four people died in crashes last year, there were no traffic deaths two years ago and nine were killed in 2010.

DPS officials said the four traffic deaths over the weekend happened in Douglas County, LeSueur County, Hennepin County and Morrison County.

At 2:03 a.m. Saturday, a 19-year-old man was killed on I-94 in Douglas County when he tried to pass another motorist and side-swiped the vehicle. His vehicle lost control and rolled, and the victim was not wearing a seat belt. The other two involved in the crash were wearing seat belts and suffered either none or minor injuries.

A 24-year-old woman was killed just before 8 a.m. Saturday when her vehicle left the road and hit a power pole, DPS officials said.

A 49-year-old man was killed in Rogers at about 5 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle crossed the center line and hit him as he was walking along a road.

An 81-year-old woman was also killed at about 4:44 p.m. Monday on Highway 10 in Morrison County when she was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle as she was trying to turn left. That victim also was not wearing a seat belt.

Authorities said so far there have been 112 people killed on Minnesota roads so far this year. That’s up from 99 this time last year.

DPS officials also said more than 4,300 people have been ticketed for driving without wearing their seat belt since the “Click It or Ticket” campaign started on May 20. Extra patrols are on Minnesota roads for that campaign through Sunday, June 2.